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Friday, 8 August 2014

Guns

I hate guns. The Turks seem to like them though.

I live in a farming village so I am used to hearing the sound of gunfire...farmers shooting the wild boar to stop them eating crops. Often this is at night. My heart skips a beat because I worry that these men might be shooting the street dogs, which I am absolutely certain does happen.

Men get trigger happy at village weddings. Getting drunk and firing their guns into the air as if in some way this adds to the celebration. There have been many reports in this country of people being killed or injured at weddings due to stray bullets. One of the reasons why I never attend village weddings.

I have encountered several incidents during my years in Turkey. When we lived in Side, a man fired his gun and shattered the windows of all the banks in the nearby town of Manavgat. Why? Because they wouldn't give him a loan. An off-duty policeman once sat on a beach in Side, firing his gun at pebbles....with holidaymakers all around him. He was arrested of course, and sent for psychiatric reports.

When we lived in Selcuk, a neighbour several apartment blocks away was firing his gun from his balcony, and shouting at the top of his voice. In spite of my protests, Mr A went to investigate, and actually stood talking to the man, who it seemed had been having a fight with his wife, who was cowering in the corner of the balcony. Thankfully the jandarma arrived and he was taken away before anyone was hurt.

Young men have to do their national service in Turkey, so they will be taught how to use guns. From an early age boys run around with toy guns, often dressed in little army uniforms, which I find quite sickening. Bad enough that they will possibly have to fight for their country when they are older, but it seems that parents find it somehow amusing to introduce them to this when they are so young.

Parents in this village think it is quite acceptable to allow their 11 and 12 year old boys to carry the small guns that fire pellets (I think they are called BB guns, but am not quite sure).

Two such boys, with guns, walked up past my gate yesterday. Luckily I was in the kitchen. I could see out but they couldn't see me. They raised their guns and started firing at my dogs in the driveway. Just a couple of pops...none of the dogs were hurt, but they were frightened.

I have never leapt out of my house so fast in all my life. I shouted at them, using a few choice Turkish swear words and told them I would be ringing the jandarma. I chased them up the hill and noticed which house they entered.

I phoned Mr A and it seems that these boys are sons of a friend of his, so he phoned him. The boys denied having fired the guns...well they would, wouldn't they? Apparently they only use them for shooting birds...clearly this is acceptable!!!

I posted the following on the village Facebook page, and a friend translated it into Turkish for me. I had several "likes", interestingly all from people who have moved away from the village.

"Please parents of this village be responsible and do not allow your young children to have guns. Two boys have walked past my house today and were firing their small guns at my dogs. These boys are only about 12 years old. This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour. It must stop, or I will notify the jandarma. Incidentally, all my dogs have kimliks (pet passports) and as such are protected by the law, so if anyone harms them, they will be prosecuted"

I had a couple of comments:

"Mrs kaya , in the World of war today ,it seems inevitable to be affected by the events around us,you have wishful thoughts about that , I agree ,yet to some degree children will be children.

My response:

"In my eyes, this is not normal behaviour for children...to deliberately set out to harm innocent animals. It's up to the parents to teach them right from wrong. And this is wrong."

His response: "yes,it is also the responsibility of teachers"

And from another man:

"Linda, i don't remember if i said that to you, but, wellcome to turkey.. we do not love ourselves and other people, we hate from our brothers and sisters.. so, animals, you know.. sorry.."

(I think it is clear what this man is trying to say...sad isn't it?)

I have just come back from feeding the dogs in the village, and judging by the looks and the whispers from the teahouse, I think news of my message has spread.

I think the guy was trying to say we don't like each other so how can we like animals.Some Turkish parents actually encourage their children to be cruel to animals.It makes my blood boil.I hope your FB message hits a nerve. It will all calm down for a week or so, but I doubt these little thugs will stop altogether.Take care.love.FX

You are brave and good, Ayak. I agree with you - I have always hated to see young children with toy guns or playing to shoot each other or other things. You do seem to have some tentative support....possibly. Good luck and take care. Axxx

I hate guns too, Ayak, and find it sad when a society, whether Turkey or the USA, makes owning and using guns seem to normal and natural. As for the children, how can they be any different with such adult role models?

If you would like to help with feeding, care and veterinary treatment for my 12 rescued dogs and the many other street dogs in our village and the surrounding area, please email me at lindaikaya@hotmail.com for details. Thankyou

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About Me

A warm welcome to my Blog

My life in Turkey.

The ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, the happy and the sad....not forgetting the often disastrous adventures of Mr Ayak.My time is taken up these days with animal rescue. I had 11 rescue dogs at home until Dave, one of three rescued pups passed away on 11 January 2015, so then there were 10. On 30th November 2015 we brought home another dog found dumped on the streets, so back up to 11 dogs. Another rescue on 17th March 2016 now brings the total to 12.

We also feed as many strays as possible, in our village and beyond. If you would like to help with all this, please email me at lindaikaya@hotmail.com for details.I welcome your comments. Since I started this blog I've received good advice and reassurance from the blogging community, and some very kind messages.If you're just a reader but not a blogger, think about starting your own blog. It's great fun and very therapeutic. I'd strongly recommend it!